Finding somewhere to stay near Notre-Dame de Paris on a budget is rarely straightforward. The Île de la Cité and the Latin Quarter are among the most sought-after parts of the capital, and accommodation there is scarce, small and quickly booked. Since the cathedral reopened in December 2024, visitor numbers have been even higher throughout the year. There is, however, a simple alternative: stay in an entire apartment in Épinay-sur-Seine or Villetaneuse, just north of Paris, and reach the cathedral square on a direct RER line.
In this guide, we explain how to travel to Notre-Dame from our NiaBnb apartments, which apartment to choose according to the size of your group, and how to plan your visits on the Île de la Cité and in the Latin Quarter.
Why stay north of Paris to visit Notre-Dame?
A direct RER line to the cathedral square
Épinay-sur-Seine station is served by RER C, which crosses Paris along the Seine. This line stops at Saint-Michel Notre-Dame, a few minutes' walk from the cathedral. You board the train near your apartment and step off opposite the Île de la Cité, without a single change. Few suburban neighbourhoods offer such simple access to this part of Paris.
An entire apartment rather than a small room
When you stay with NiaBnb, the whole property is yours: a fitted kitchen, a living room, one or more separate bedrooms and a WiFi connection. After a day spent walking between the cathedral, the Sainte-Chapelle and the streets of the Latin Quarter, you come back to a proper space where you can rest, cook dinner and plan the following day.
A budget better shared between accommodation and sightseeing
Our apartments are let per night for the whole property, not per person. For a family or a group of friends, the cost per traveller falls considerably once everyone shares the same apartment. The kitchen also allows you to have breakfast and some of your meals at home. You can therefore devote a larger share of your budget to visits, museums and restaurants.
How do you reach Notre-Dame and the Île de la Cité from our apartments?
Two main routes connect Épinay-sur-Seine and Villetaneuse to the cathedral. The first is direct; the second is quicker but involves one change.
The direct route by RER C
From Épinay-sur-Seine station, RER C towards Paris takes you to Saint-Michel Notre-Dame in around 40 minutes. It is the most comfortable route with children or luggage, as you stay seated on the same train from start to finish. Along the way, the line also calls at Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel, Invalides and Musée d'Orsay, so you can combine several visits along the Seine in a single day.
The route via Gare du Nord
From Épinay-Villetaneuse station, Transilien line H reaches Gare du Nord in 10 to 12 minutes. You then take RER B, which reaches Saint-Michel Notre-Dame in two stops, or Metro line 4, which brings you to Cité station in the middle of the island. Allow around 30 minutes for the whole journey, including the change.
A summary of the routes
- RER C: Épinay-sur-Seine to Saint-Michel Notre-Dame, around 40 minutes, no change
- Transilien H: Épinay-Villetaneuse to Gare du Nord, 10 to 12 minutes
- RER B: Gare du Nord to Saint-Michel Notre-Dame, two stops
- Metro line 4: Gare du Nord to Cité station, around 10 minutes
- Tram T8: the link between our apartments and the Épinay-sur-Seine and Épinay-Villetaneuse stations
Timetables vary from day to day and with engineering works on the lines. We advise you to check your route on the Île-de-France Mobilités app before each journey, particularly for your return in the evening.
What is there to see around Notre-Dame and in the Latin Quarter?
Notre-Dame Cathedral, open to visitors once again
Closed after the fire of April 2019, the cathedral reopened in December 2024 after more than five years of restoration. Entry to the cathedral is free. A time slot, also free of charge, can be booked online with the cathedral to shorten the wait, but it is not compulsory. Queues are generally shorter early in the morning and on weekdays. If you leave your apartment at about 8 am, you will arrive at the square before the busiest hours.
The Sainte-Chapelle and the Conciergerie
Five minutes' walk from Notre-Dame, the Sainte-Chapelle is renowned for its tall thirteenth-century stained-glass windows. The Conciergerie, a former royal palace that became a prison during the Revolution, stands right beside it. Both monuments can easily be visited in the same half-day. Remember to book your tickets in advance, as time slots fill up quickly during the school holidays.
The Latin Quarter and the Left Bank
Cross the Petit Pont and you are in the Latin Quarter. Here you can discover Place Saint-Michel and its fountain, the Sorbonne, the Panthéon, the Musée de Cluny devoted to the Middle Ages, and the Luxembourg Gardens. The banks of the Seine and their second-hand booksellers are best explored on foot, as is the neighbouring Île Saint-Louis, reached by the Pont Saint-Louis behind the cathedral. Most of these places lie within a twenty-minute walk of one another.
Which NiaBnb apartment should you choose for your stay?
The apartments close to RER C
The Dumas 2 apartment is a 5-minute walk from the Épinay-sur-Seine RER C station. Fully renovated, it sleeps up to 8 guests in 3 bedrooms and comes with private parking. The Grand Appartement, with a floor area of 76 m², also sleeps up to 8 guests in 3 separate bedrooms, with secure private underground parking. Both properties suit large families and groups who wish to use the direct line to Notre-Dame.
The apartments for a family or a small group
The Blumenthal apartment sleeps up to 5 guests in 2 separate bedrooms, right beside the T8 tram stop of the same name. The République apartment also sleeps up to 5 guests in 2 bedrooms and has a balcony.
The apartment for a couple or for guests with reduced mobility
In Villetaneuse, the Les Coteaux apartment offers one bedroom and a separate living room over 52 m², for a maximum of 4 guests. It is accessible to guests with reduced mobility, and tram T8 stops right outside the residence.
Frequently asked questions about staying near Notre-Dame de Paris
How long does it take to reach Notre-Dame from Épinay-sur-Seine?
Allow around 40 minutes by RER C, with no change, to Saint-Michel Notre-Dame station. Travelling via Gare du Nord on Transilien H, then RER B or Metro line 4, the journey takes around 30 minutes.
Do you need to book to enter Notre-Dame Cathedral?
No, booking is not compulsory and entry is free. A free time slot can nevertheless be reserved online with the cathedral to limit the wait. We recommend that you consult the official Notre-Dame website before your visit, as access arrangements may change.
Can you get back to the apartment after an evening in the Latin Quarter?
Yes. Trains run in the evening on both RER C and Transilien H. The last departures vary according to the day and any works in progress, so check the time of your last train before you go out for dinner.
Can you come by car and leave it at the apartment?
Yes. The Grand Appartement and Dumas 2 both have private parking. You can leave your vehicle there for your entire stay and travel into Paris by train, which saves you from looking for a parking space in the centre of the capital.
Which apartment is best for a family with children?
For a family of 4 or 5, Blumenthal and République offer 2 separate bedrooms. For a larger family, or two families travelling together, the Grand Appartement and Dumas 2 provide 3 bedrooms and sleep up to 8 guests.
Book your apartment and discover Notre-Dame de Paris
Notre-Dame, the Sainte-Chapelle and the Latin Quarter are 30 to 40 minutes from our apartments on a direct RER line. Check the availability and rates of our NiaBnb apartments in Épinay-sur-Seine and Villetaneuse, then book the one that suits your stay directly on our website.
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